Calling for an end to the status quo in Washington, an Amarillo businesswoman officially kicked off her bid Tuesday to unseat U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry.

Elaine Hays, 55, made the announcement Tuesday that she’s seeking the Republican nomination for Thornberry’s seat before a group of about 100 enthusiastic supporters — including District 15 State Board of Education Representative Marty Rowley — at the Ambassador Hotel.

“It’s time to remind Washington that they work for us,” she told the cheering crowd.

The mother of four, author and certified financial planner said trust in the nation’s government has plummeted amid continued Washington gridlock. She vowed a close examination of Thornberry’s record as a lawmaker.

“Our economic foundation has been crumbling,” she said. “We cannot afford to stay on our current unsustainable path.”

She honed in, however, on the government’s bailouts during the financial meltdown and said taxpayers should not have had to bail out organizations that took risky financial positions.

Hays said she favors a common sense, conservative approach to government.

Hays also said she supports a no-budget-no pay law for lawmakers and the White House. She also said Congress shouldn’t pass laws that don’t also apply to legislators.

If elected, Hays said she would not accept a congressional pension. She also called on term limits.

“I’m running because it’s time. It’s time we had leadership that will make the tough choices to cut spending, that will not stand idly by on the issue of entitlement reform, that will fight on the front lines to defend our constitutional freedoms and what we value,” she said. “It’s time for our elected representatives to lead by example, to apply tough reforms to themselves before asking that of the American people.”

Attempts to reach Thornberry, R-Clarendon, who was traveling Tuesday, were unsuccessful.